Red and Black Hockey

Eric Staal left practice early on Monday with some “tightness” and didn’t participate in Tuesday’s practice, according to official team reports. The nature of this tightness isn’t known, but the captain-in-waiting is not expected to miss Wednesday’s clash with the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins.

Joni Pitkänen, who has played in all of one period of action this season, also sat out. He’s still being troubled by soreness in his knee after off-season surgery. Right now, there’s no time table for his return.